Dr. Sil Aarts

Assistant professor | scientist | teacher | AWO-L | Maastricht University

PORTFOLIO

I am a psychologist, with a master in neuropsychology. My PhD trajectory, which was conducted at two different research schools, i.e. Caphri and MHeNS (Mental Health and Neuroscience) at Maastricht University, was focused on multimorbidity, i.e. the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions within one person, and the adverse health effects thereof. In addition, my PhD focused on analyzing large amounts of data with innovative analyzing techniques such as data-and text mining.

My Dissertation

My Dissertation

In 2010, I worked 4 months at the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), part of National Institutes of Health (NIH), in Bethesda, Maryland, where I conducted a study on the co-occurrence of multimorbidity, disability and frailty. During my bachelor and master trajectory, I noticed my interest in and, consequently, knowledge off, statistics. Fortunately, this was also noticed by several professors who gave me the opportunity to get involved in teaching several statistical courses. During my PhD trajectory, I also published several articles regarding statistics (e.g. The insignificance of statistical significance and The importance of effect sizes).

In 2012, I declined a post-doc position at the Maastricht University in order to become a researcher and teacher at Fontys, a university of applied sciences. There, my focus was on how technology could improve quality of life. More specifically, on how technology could aid aging-in-place. During these years, I, together with colleagues, conducted longitudinal qualitative research including in-depth interviews with community-dwelling older adults. It was then that I also fell in love with this type of research!

From 2013 to 2018, I was a member of the Fontys Ethical Committee, in which research proposals were checked regarding ethical scientific guidelines. In this manner, I co-wrote a book entitled ‘Ethiek van praktijkgericht onderzoek: zonder ethiek is het al moeilijk genoeg’. Please, see my activities for more information regarding my work.

Since 2022 I am part of the MUMC+/UM workforce on AI. In 2023, I am a guest editor for Exploration of Digital Health technologies entitled ‘Data-informed Decision Making in Healthcare’.


Research projects

‘Data-informed shared decision making in LTC’ , AWO-L, Maastricht University, 2023-current.

‘QoLead: Quality of Life by use of Enabling AI in Dementia’, AWO-L & MHeNS, Maastricht University, 2023-current.

‘Speech-to-Text’, AWO-L, Maastricht University, 2021-current.

‘Text-mining in long-term elderly care’, AWO-L, Maastricht University, 2020-current.

‘Monitor Personeelssamenstelling’, Trimbos Utrecht & AWO-L, 2018-2019.

‘Ruimte voor Zorg’, AWO-L, Maastricht University. PhD project of Katya Sion, 2017-current.

‘SoCaTel, co-creation with older adults for better access to long-term care services’. Fontys, 2017-2018.

‘Verpleeghuis van de toekomst is een thuis’. Project of Joost van Hoof. Fontys, 2014-2016.

‘Understanding technology acceptance by seniors who are aging in place: a dynamic perspective’. PhD project of Sebastiaan Peek. Fontys, 2012-2017.

‘Ethics in practice-based research’ (incl. a book), Fontys Ethical Committee, 2013-2018.

Educational projects

CoP member ‘Blended Learning at UM’, Maastricht University, 2022-2023

Course ‘Introduction to Python Porgamming’, FHML, Maastricht University, 2021-onwards.

‘Kansen in de zorg: de rol van digitale technology’. Course coordinator within 2nd year of Bachelor program ‘Digital Technology and Care’, Maastricht University, 2019-onwards.

Online course for PhD students ‘Statistics I’, Maastricht University, 2018-onwards.

Committee member for developing a new Bachelor program ‘Digital Technology and Care’, Maastricht University, 2019-onwards.

Minor ‘Technology in healthcare: technology acceptation’: third year students, two weeks (coordinator & lecturer), Fontys, 2017-2018

Course ‘Healthcare Technology’: third year students (lecturer), Fontys, 2016-2018


Specialities & skills

Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Qualitative research, Text-Mining, R(Stats) (Python to a lesser degree), SPSS, Technology Acceptance & Implementation, Ethics.

My resume

Below you will find a short outline of my resume. If interested, a complete resume is available upon request. Please feel free to send me an ✉️.

October 2018 - onwards

Assistant professor AWO-L, Health Services Research, Maastricht University.

June 2013 - September 2018

Member Fontys Ethical Committee in Research

February 2012 - September 2018

Senior lecturer and reseacher, Health Innovations & Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

December 2011

Post-doctoral position at the Department of General Practice, CAPHRI and MHeNS, Maastricht University. Declined.

🎓 February 2008 - February 2012

PhD student at the Department of General Practice. School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI) and School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS). Date: April, 13th, 2012.

🎓 September 2003 - February 2008

Bachelor and Master Neuropsychology at Maastricht University & half year internship at the Memory Clinic of the Maastricht Academic Hospital.

Course ‘Research Skills’: first year students (coordinator & lecturer), Fontys, 2013-2018

Thesis ‘Qualitative methods’ (coordinator, lecturer & supervisor), Fontys, 2012-2018

Thesis ‘Quantitative methods’ (coordinator, lecturer & supervisor), Fontys, 2012-2018